Chapter 325

The old servant quickly offered the pre‑cut cloth from the outer robe with both hands.

Translation: The old servant hurriedly presented the piece of cloth that had already been cut from the outer robe with both hands.

The old servant quickly presented the piece of cloth that had already been cut from the outer robe, offering it with both hands.

Duan Rongshi swiftly picked it up and shook it open.

Duan Rongshi swiftly picked it up and shook it open.

Lei betrays blessing.

Lei betrays blessing.

Just three short words plunged Duan Rongshi into an icy chill, freezing him from head to toe.

Translation: Only these three short words, yet they made Duan Rongshi instantly feel as if plunged into an ice cellar, his whole body chilled from head to toe.

Zhui Yu and his companions also stretched their necks to see the three words.

Translation: Zhui Yu and the other two also craned their necks to see those three characters.

Lei betrays blessing?

Does Lei betray blessing?

What does this mean?

Translation: What does this mean?

Leng Dian exclaimed incredulously, 'Could it mean that Sha Lei has betrayed? But this blessing…'

Leng Dian said incredulously, 'Could it mean that Sha Lei has betrayed? But this blessing…'

Po Feng shook his head, showing he couldn't come up with an answer either.

Translation: Po Feng shook his head, indicating he also couldn't think of it for the moment.

Zhui Yu flared with anger: 'If Sha Lei is truly a traitor, I'll kill him with my own hands!'

Translation: Zhui Yu seethed with anger: "If Sha Lei truly is a traitor, I will kill him myself!"

The attendant beside the old servant hurriedly said, 'Your Highness, the Lei guard said that if this matter reached you, they would have the servants executed.'

Translation: The servant beside the old woman hurriedly said: "Your Highness, that day Guard Lei said, said that if this matter were reported to Your Highness, they would take a knife to us servants."

The servants had never dared speak of it, but if it were true and brought to your attention, it would surely trouble you.

Translation: "Originally we servants dared not mention it, but fearing it might be true, causing a fuss before Your Highness would truly disturb Your Highness's peace of mind."

But Granny Xiao found these two items on herself, and the girl, to avoid hurting Granny Xiao, even personally blocked the Lei guard's long whip…

Translation: "But Granny Xiao discovered these two items on her person, and at that time the young lady, in order not to harm Granny Xiao, even personally blocked Guard Lei's long whip..."

It's clear the girl means no harm; she doesn't want to hurt anyone innocent.

Translation: "Look, that young lady truly has no ill intent, so she does not wish to harm the innocent."

The servants worried there might be a misunderstanding, believing the girl truly had her own troubles, so they deliberately left these tokens.

Translation: "We servants feared there might be some misunderstanding, thinking that young lady truly had difficulties, so she deliberately left these tokens."

Furthermore, the Lei guard claimed the girl was an assassin who had killed Xiao Dezhi.

Translation: "Furthermore, Guard Lei also said that young lady is an assassin and even killed Little Dezi."

But she hadn't even made it out of the West Garden—how could she have silently killed Xiao Dezhi?

Translation: "But, but she never even escaped the West Garden, how could she possibly have killed Little Dezi silently?"

Moreover, the knife dropped on the ground bore no blood—how could the killing have been carried out?

Translation: "Moreover, the knife thrown on the ground has no bloodstains. How then was the person killed?"

The servants were originally supposed to report this to Elder Wu so he could decide.

Translation: "Originally we servants were to report this to Steward Wu, letting him make the decision."

But Elder Wu has disappeared these past days—no one in the mansion can find him, and he left no word behind.

Translation: "But Steward Wu has been nowhere to be found these past days; we searched the entire manor and couldn't find him, and he vanished without leaving a word."

Zhui Yu exclaimed, 'What? Elder Wu is missing too?!'

Translation: Zhui Yu: "What did you say? Steward Wu is also missing!?"

Po Feng remarked, 'No wonder I didn't see him loitering around when I got back today.'

Translation: Po Feng: "No wonder he wasn't loafing around when we returned today."

Your Highness, I wonder if Elder Wu has any connection to this.

Translation: "Your Highness, I don't know whether Steward Wu is related to this matter."

Duan Rongshi still gripped the cloth in his hand.

Translation: Duan Rongshi still held that piece of cloth in his hand.

The writing was done in fresh blood.

Translation: Upon it were characters written in fresh blood.

The cloth had darkened to a reddish‑black hue.

The cloth had darkened to a reddish‑black shade.

Though the writing was rushed and uneven, he could still make out her unrefined strokes.

Translation: "Although the characters were written hastily and crooked, he could still recognize them, noticing some of her still-immature brushstrokes."

It was her handwriting.

Translation: "They were her writing."

It turns out she had indeed visited the Su Prince's mansion.

Translation: "As it turns out, she really did come to Prince Su's mansion!"

Yet he was completely unaware of it.

Translation: "And he had been completely unaware of this."

Duan Rongshi asked, 'Where is Sha Lei now?'

Translation: Duan Rongshi: "Where is Sha Lei now?"

Of the four chief guards, only Sha Lei has been away these days, and he happens to be absent right now.

Translation: "Among the four chief guards, only Sha Lei has left these past few days, and right now he happens to be absent."

Leng Dian said, 'Your Highness, Sha Lei is today assigned to search the eastern district, which is near the dock and includes the Spring Banquet Tower and other mixed businesses, so he couldn't break away to return with his men.'

Translation: Leng Dian: "Your Highness, Sha Lei is today responsible for the search in the eastern part of the city, because that area is near the docks and also has establishments like the Spring Banquet Tower with mixed business, so he couldn't free himself and thus didn't return together with his subordinates."

Duan Rongshi slipped the cloth into his bosom, saying, 'Lei betrays blessing. Sha Lei, betrayal, blessing fills the tower.'

Duan Rongshi tucked the cloth into his bosom, saying, 'Lei betrays blessing. Sha Lei, betrayal, blessing fills the tower.'

As soon as he saw those three words, he immediately grasped her meaning.

Translation: "Upon seeing these three characters, he instantly understood her meaning."

Thinking that she had fallen into dire straits because of him, the usually composed Su Prince felt a hidden agitation that was driving him toward madness.

Translation: "Thinking that she had fallen into dire straits because of him, the usually calm and composed Prince Su felt a hidden agitation rising, already verging on frenzy."

His eyes were as cold as an ice cellar, his face devoid of expression, yet the suppressed anger made it hard to breathe.

Translation: "At this moment his gaze was cold as an ice cellar, his face showing no expression, yet the repressed anger made one feel suffocated."

Go—capture Sha Lei and bring him back to see me.

Translation: "Go. Capture Sha Lei and bring him back to see this prince."

Po Feng and his companions felt their scalps tighten and their faces turn deathly pale.

Translation: Po Feng and the three others all felt their scalps tighten, their faces turning deathly pale.

The four of them—Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning—have grown up with the prince since childhood, having faced death together countless times.

Translation: "The four of them—Wind, Rain, Thunder, Lightning—have grown up alongside Your Highness since childhood, having faced death together countless times."

Yet at this moment they still didn't understand why Sha Lei would suddenly betray.

Translation: "But at this moment they also did not understand why Sha Lei would suddenly betray."

Could he have been put under a dark spell?

Could he have been cursed with a dark art?

But if he really is a traitor, they will show no mercy.

Translation: "However, if he truly is a traitor, the three of us will certainly show no mercy!"

The Spring Banquet Tower.

Translation: "Spring Banquet Tower."

Stop!

Translation: "Halt!"

Li Qingluo slipped past every stare on the third floor and, after a tense descent to the second floor, was about to sneak from the side stairs to the back courtyard when someone shouted at her.

Translation: Li Qingluo slipped past all gazes on the third floor, finally making it down to the second floor with difficulty, and just as she was about to sneak from the side stair to the rear courtyard, someone called out to her.

You, come here.

Translation: "You, come over."

A guard outside an elegant room pointed at Li Qingluo and shouted.

Translation: A guard stationed outside a certain elegant room pointed at Li Qingluo and shouted.

Li Qingluo pointed at herself, and the guard, impatient, snapped: 'If not you, who else? It's you—come here!'

Translation: Li Qingluo pointed at herself, but the guard, extremely impatient, retorted: "If not you, who else could it be? It's you! Come over!"

Seeing the guard's tall, muscular build, Li Qingluo steeled herself and hurried over.

Translation: Seeing that the guard was tall and sturdy, Li Qingluo had no choice but to steel herself and hurry over.

She pointed to her mouth and then lowered her head.

Translation: She pointed to her own mouth, then lowered her head.

Is she mute?

Translation: "Is she mute?"

The guard frowned, clearly disdainful.

Translation: The guard furrowed his brows, quite disdainful.

He had been waiting a while; the other attendants were busy, but this one appeared idle and leisurely.

Translation: "However, he had already been waiting a while; those turtle slaves are all busy, but this one currently looks idle and leisurely."

Furthermore, the attendant bore a large black mole and heavy dark circles, fitting the master's demand for a non‑female with an ugly look.

Translation: "Moreover, this turtle slave has a huge black mole on his face and large, dark eye circles, perfectly matching the master's order for a non-female with an ugly appearance."

He seized Li Qingluo, pulled her forward, and shoved her into the room, saying, 'Go in and attend to the young master's bathing and changing.'

Translation: "So he grabbed Li Qingluo and pulled her over, then with a push shoved her into the room: 'Enter, attend to the young lord inside for bathing and changing!'"

Li Qingluo, bewildered, found herself standing in the room.

Translation: Li Qingluo, full of questions, found herself standing in the room at that moment.

Then she saw a large bathtub.

Translation: "Then she saw a huge bathtub."

The bathtub steamed with hot vapor, and a young man with loose long hair, his arms casually resting on the rim, had his back turned to her.

Translation: "The bathtub was steaming, and a young man with loose hair, his arms leisurely resting on the edge of the tub, had his back to her."

Li Qingluo cursed in her heart ten thousand sentences: "Damn bastard! Damnable Sha Lei@##￥#%…… vicious Qin Yu#￥%&……"

Obviously, she was captured to serve someone.

As expected, being a turtle slave is a miserable life.

"A turtle slave?"

She stood stiffly in place without moving, but that young master tilted his head to look at her.

Li Qingluo saw a half of an extraordinarily handsome side profile; it turned out to be a refined and handsome young master.

She just didn't understand—Spring Banquet Tower was full of all kinds of beauties, even the maids who specialized in serving baths were neat and pleasing to look at, so why would this person's taste be so peculiar as to demand a turtle slave for service?

If he isn't a pervert, then his guards are terribly negligent!

"What are you staring at? Hurry over and scrub my back for me."

"Otherwise, I'll chop off your hands!"

Li Qingluo gritted her teeth and stepped forward with stiff steps.

It seems that if I don't scrub this bath today, I won't be able to get away.

And she just wants to get it over with, otherwise if the young lady's side discovers the scandal, sneaking out later would be difficult.

Li Qingluo quickly grabbed the bath scrub towel from nearby, wetted it with water, and gazed at the pristine white body before her……

She closed her eyes and, as if facing death, began scrubbing his back.

"Hiss——"

"You're asking for death——"

The young master, in pain, seized her wrist.

But the moment he grabbed her wrist, he turned his head in surprise.

The handsome young master looked down at the wrist he held—this turtle slave, surely a male, couldn't have such delicate arms, could he?

He skeptically glanced at Li Qingluo's ears.

Unfortunately, her earlobes were covered by hair and her hat, so he couldn't see them at all.

Just then, a knocking sounded at the door.

The young master instantly rose, and Li Qingluo immediately broke free of her wrist and lowered her head.

She cursed Sha Lei's name in her heart, but quietly breathed a sigh of relief: thank goodness she hadn't lifted her eyes, otherwise today even the purity of her eyes would be lost.

"Young Master Zong, in a quarter hour our East House will come to see you. Please prepare quickly; the mistress says she has important matters to discuss with you."

"East House, mistress?"

"Princess Qin Yu?"

It turned out this person was not a patron of Spring Banquet Tower, but an old acquaintance of Princess Qin Yu.

Li Qingluo pretended not to understand anything, only hearing the water splashing before her as that person finally stepped out of the bathtub.

"Your mistress really puts on airs."

"Get lost!"

I didn't expect this person to be so handsome in appearance, yet his temper is like a firecracker that lights at the slightest spark.

Li Qingluo thought she could leave, was about to retreat quietly, but then heard the young master say: "Come over and help me get dressed?"

Li Qingluo:?

She felt a surge of anger in her chest and wanted to curse him: "Don't you have hands yourself?"

But she was mute now, unable to utter a curse.

So she could only suppress her anger again and then rise.

All she saw was a naked-backed figure facing away; Li Qingluo averted her eyes, thinking: thank goodness his hair is long enough, otherwise she really would have……

She approached with a grim face, first grabbing a handkerchief from nearby and hastily wiping the young master's upper body.

Her eyes were mostly closed the whole time, after all she couldn't look down at all.

The young master lowered his gaze at the head before him, the corner of his mouth twitching: "How so, is my body not beautiful enough?"

Li Qingluo: ……

Ahhh!

Does this person have no shame?

Is that a matter of being handsome or not?

He's not a maiden, so what does his handsomeness have to do with her?

Heh.

But she didn't want to cause trouble, so she quickly gestured: "I, the servant, merely fear soiling you, which is why I dare not look at your body."

Li Qingluo indeed knew some sign language.

Who would have thought this person before her could actually understand it.

"Are you mute?"

"Indeed, you're so ugly that even one glance would defile my body."

"But a servant's hands are surprisingly fair and tender."

He seized Li Qingluo's hand, gave a cold smile, and said: "So, who exactly are you?"

Li Qingluo picked up the flower vase she had aimed at nearby and smashed it with a 'bang' onto his head.

The young master's eyes widened instantly; he pointed at Li Qingluo, about to say "you…", but his eyes rolled back and he actually fainted.

Li Qingluo looked at the flower vase in her hand.

She had thought he was capable of something, but a mere flower vase knocked him out?

An embroidered pillow!

She quickly set the flower vase down gently, then dragged him to sit beside the bed.

A rag was thrown, first covering the man's crotch, then the nearby clothes were torn to shreds, and the young master's hands and feet were bound and his mouth stuffed.

Only a quarter of an hour remains before Qin Yu meets this person.

That way, we can buy a little more time, right?

After finishing, Li Qingluo didn't linger; she clapped her hands and hurried out the door.

The guard stationed outside saw her emerge, thought she had just finished attending, and didn't ask any further.

Li Qingluo slipped away quickly…

"Wait!"

The guard seemed to recall something and suddenly called after her.

Li Qingluo's silhouette froze; she didn't dare look back.

The guard walked over, puzzled, and asked, "Why haven't I seen you before?"

Li Qingluo then realized that this guard wasn't the young master's guard from that room, but a guard of the Spring Banquet Hall!

She gestured frantically, a chaotic mess, and the guard couldn't understand.

The guard's confusion grew, and just as he was about to seize her for clarification, a commotion rose from downstairs.

"Prince Su's Residence is searching for a lost important treasure; everyone must avoid—"

"Prince Su's Residence?"

Li Qingluo's heart surged with excitement.

Is he coming?

She was about to act, looking for a chance to slip out and meet up with the people from Prince Su's Residence, when another familiar voice rang out: "I am Sha Lei, Prince Su's close guard—by order of Your Highness Prince Su, I am searching Xiuli Jiangjun Fu for the lost important item."

"All present in the Spring Banquet Hall, everyone, descend immediately to the main hall for inspection."